After
4 years of absence Vanden Plas is back with their 5 studio album, but
it's not like they have lazy in the 4 years that has passed since "Beyond
Daylight". Vocalist Andy Kuntz has off course released his highly
acclaimed "Adydos" solo album, while the band has been
involved in numerous theatrical productions - first and foremost the
"Nostradamus" production, which were performed in
Kaiserlautern and Hof.

Vanden
Plas proves once more why so many consider them to be Germany's best and
most important progressive metal band, always moving forward exploring
new directions, and on this album the influences surely reflect what
they have been a part of for the past 4 years. Just take a listen to the
wonderfully orchestrated "January Sun", which features no less
than a 40-pieces classical choir.

Never
forgetting their roots, which is the clearest in the straight ahead
rocker "Shadow I am", which could easily have been on one of
their earlier albums. Or the melancholic ballad "Lost in Silence",
which brings back memories from their acoustic album "AcCult"
from 1997. And it's not like the band hasn't progressed, because this
album is without a doubt their best to date, the most complete and
mature one. An album that surely will make a stir in the progressive
metal community and beyond...

The
3 main songwriters - guitarist Stephan Lill, vocalist Andy Kuntz and
keyboard player GŁnter Werno - have created 10 outstanding progressive
metal songs that initially were based on the story of the count of Monte
Cristo. The album might not be as accessible as "Beyond
Daylight", and I needed a few spins
before the album began to sink really in, but now it all flows like a
stream...

I
will stop praising this wonderful album, and urge all progressive metal
fans to get this brilliant piece of music as soon as possible...